#NCGOV Set To Be “Marquee Contest Of 2024”

U.S. News calls North Carolina a “Toss-Up”

A new report has the North Carolina governor’s race as the sole toss-up in the country next year, with the race “poised to be highly competitive” and the “marquee contest of 2024.” The report underscores that voters will have a choice between “candidates with sharply divergent profiles.” As Attorney General Josh Stein is “center-left” and continues to be a fighter for the people of North Carolina “trying to hold back a newly emboldened Republican legislative supermajority,” while Mark Robinson “is prone to brash, controversial statements on such issues as LGBTQ+ rights.”

This analysis comes as news reports indicate North Carolina will be a critical battleground state “prime for a Democratic pickup” as Republicans’ abortion ban gives the Democratic base “extra motivation.” At the same time, Republicans “fret” about Robinson and whether his “long history of harsh comments” will “hurt the party’s chances of winning.”

Attorney General Josh Stein continues to be in a strong position with key endorsements, including more than 150 of North Carolina’s former and current elected officials, robust fundraising, and a record of accomplishment on issues that matter to North Carolinians. Last week, Stein picked up the endorsement of North Carolina AFL-CIO for his commitment to working people.

In 2024, 11 gubernatorial races will be held. Of those, seven initially rate as Safe Republican and two rate as Safe Democratic. The most competitive race will likely be the one in North Carolina, a key state in the presidential race where Democrats will be defending an open seat.

North Carolina’s gubernatorial race will be the marquee contest of 2024. It’s an open seat; it’s in a presidential battleground state during a presidential year; and it will likely have candidates with sharply divergent profiles.

The Democratic side is straightforward. After two terms as state attorney general, Josh Stein is looking to succeed Cooper, a fellow center-left politician who is trying to hold back a newly emboldened Republican legislative supermajority.

The Republican side is more complicated. The front-runner is Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is prone to brash, controversial statements on such issues as LGBTQ+ rights. Democrats would probably have the easiest time portraying Robinson as too conservative for a closely divided state.

Other credible Republican candidates are state Treasurer Dale Folwell and former Congressman Mark Walker. This race starts as a Toss-Up, but that could change depending on who wins the GOP nomination.